Merry Masquerade in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 8)

by Hope Callaghan

  “I’ll walk you out.” Carlita followed them through the house to the courtyard, where Tori stood in the same spot, seeing people off. She smiled as they approached. “Byron wore poor Violet out.”

  “Or maybe it was the other way around,” Shelby joked. “Thank you for an enchanting evening. This has been one of the best nights Violet and I have had in a very long time. We already thanked Byron and promised to visit one day soon.”

  “I’m glad. Spending time with Violet has been good for Byron and you’re welcome, dear,” Tori said. “I’m glad you could make it.” She gave Shelby and Violet a gentle hug and squeezed Tony’s hand.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, son,” Carlita said and then waited until they disappeared from sight. “I see almost everyone is gone.”

  “It’s been a lovely party…well, mostly lovely, except for Ava’s unfortunate demise.”

  “Have you had a chance to talk to the investigators yet?” Carlita asked.

  “Yes, and you’re never going to believe what they discovered.”

  Chapter 10

  Carlita waited until another group of guests said their good-byes. “What did the investigators discover?”

  “The weapon that killed Ava was found next to her body. It was a 17th century Mughal dagger. The authorities are asking me to supply them with a detailed list of guests in case they decide to question them, as well.”

  “Let me guess. The weapon is an antique weapon and one from your husband’s collection,” Carlita said.

  “Yes. The dagger is one of the pieces that went missing from the drawing room. I filed a police report and a claim with my insurance company. You know what this means.”

  “It means that whoever broke into your drawing room and stole pieces from William’s collection may very well be living under your roof.” Carlita felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned to face Mercedes and Autumn.

  “Have you tried this?” Autumn held up a berry tartlet. “Oh my gosh. These are delicious.” She tossed the last bite into her mouth and licked her fingers.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying the food.” Tori turned to Carlita. “Back to Ava’s body. If it was an inside job, I need some inside help. I’ve been thinking about this ever since Detective Wilson told me about the murder weapon and I have a huge favor to ask.” Tori paused, as if considering her next words.

  “I’ll help in whatever way I can,” Carlita said.

  “My thought was you and your daughter could stay at Montgomery Hall, under the guise that your home is uninhabitable at the moment. While you’re here, you can do a little undercover investigation, if you want to, of course.”

  “Stay here at Montgomery Hall?” Mercedes gasped. “Who would turn down a chance to be waited on by servants and butlers, to stay in such a swanky place?”

  “You could consider it a mini vacation,” Tori enticed. “I have more than enough room and to be blunt, I need help. Now that Iris is involved and Byron has already been attacked, I need a couple of extra sets of eyes and ears.”

  “I have to run it by Tony first,” Carlita said. “We’ll need to make sure the pawnshop is covered. Bob Lowman, my construction guy, is going to start the demo on my restaurant soon. When were you thinking?”

  “The sooner, the better. Would tomorrow be too much of an imposition?” Another couple approached. “Hold that thought.” Tori escorted the couple to the courtyard exit.

  Mercedes grasped her mother’s arm. “Oh my gosh. You’re going to say yes, right?”

  “I don’t know,” Carlita said. “It appears there may be a killer on the loose under the Montgomery roof.”

  “That has never stopped us before,” Mercedes pointed out.

  “I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Autumn said. “In fact, I might have to stop by for a grand tour, if you decide to stay here, of course.”

  Tori waited until the guests disappeared into the night before turning her attention to Carlita. “Well?”

  “If Tony can cover the store for a couple of days, we’ll do it,” Carlita said.

  ***

  “I think I have everything.” Mercedes dragged her large suitcase to the center of the living room floor.

  “We’re only going for a couple of nights. Won’t your overnight bag work?”

  “I have some extra goodies in here.” Mercedes patted the top of the suitcase. “We need to be prepared in case Ava’s murder turns into a full blown investigation.” She trailed behind her mother as she wheeled her suitcase to the hall door. “I’m glad Tony was able to find someone to help cover the store and I’m sure Rambo will love staying with Shelby and Violet. Grayvie will get lots of visits from Violet and Shelby, too.”

  “They’ll both be spoiled rotten by the time we get home,” Carlita predicted. “Remember, this is a working vacation. Our goal is to find out as much as we can about the other employees, who had it in for Ava, who might have knowledge of the missing weapons in the drawing room.”

  Mercedes opened the door. “I was thinkin’ Montgomery Hall reminds me of the house in the movie Clue. The drawing room is the study, then there’s the library. The only thing missing is the ballroom and a billiard room.”

  “Well, I’m thinkin’ your imagination is working overtime.”

  Carlita and Mercedes swung by the pawnshop to tell Tony they were leaving. The store was deader than a doornail. “Where is everybody?”

  “I dunno.” Tony pointed at the front window. “I was just listening to the radio and they were talkin’ about a late fall tropical depression heading our way. It was supposed to stay out to sea and miss us completely. Now they’re saying the storm has picked up speed and is on a direct path toward Savannah. Maybe everyone is stocking up on supplies or home battening down the hatches.” He turned to his mother. “You sure you wanna head to Montgomery Hall with a storm on the way?”

  “I heard mention of it too.” Carlita frowned. “Tori’s home is on the water, not to mention an island. I hope we don’t get a lot of rain. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

  “It’s a great idea,” Mercedes insisted. “I’m sure Montgomery Hall has survived a lot of storms. The place is solid. We’ll be safer there than we are here.”

  “I suppose you’re right. We better get going.” Carlita hugged her son. “We’ll only be gone two nights. If you need anything at all, call. We’re only a short drive back to town.”

  “Will do. Josh should be here any minute. We’re both going to work full shifts.” Tony cast an uneasy glance out the window. “Course we might not have to worry about it if a storm is coming our way.”

  For the second time, Carlita wondered if they were making a mistake, agreeing to help Tori. Despite her concern, a promise was a promise and the sooner they got to Montgomery Hall and began their investigation, the better off they would be.

  Mercedes and Carlita exited through the back hall and stepped into the alley. A stiff wind whipped around the corner of the apartment building. Mercedes swept the strands of hair from her eyes and glanced skyward. “We’ve never been in a tropical storm before. I hope it changes course and steers clear of us.”

  “I’ll turn the radio on when we get in the car.” Carlita tightened her grip on her overnight case and tugged it off the stoop. “I wonder if they close the bridge connecting Tybee Island and Savannah during storms.”

  “I dunno Ma. Since you don’t like driving in bad weather, I’ll drive.”

  The women hurried down the alley, tossed their bags in the back seat and then quickly jumped into the car. Carlita buckled her seatbelt and turned the radio on. “I think there’s a local news channel somewhere here.”

  Mercedes backed out of the parking spot and drove down the alley, stopping when they reached the main road. “Tony was right. This place is like a ghost town. I’m sure Mrs. Montgomery would’ve called us if she had reason to believe we shouldn’t make the trip.”

  “Yeah. I’m sure she would’ve called to tell us not to come.” Carlita twisted the dial as she
scanned the stations. “I think I found it.” She turned the volume up and the women grew silent as they listened to the local forecast.

  “…in a surprising shift, Tropical Storm Rex has increased in intensity. Hurricane hunters are predicting a 50/50 chance the storm will continue to intensify and begin lashing South Georgia’s barrier islands before working its way up the coast, brushing the Carolinas and then turning back out to sea.”

  Another forecaster chimed in. “The forecasters are keeping a close eye on this one.”

  “What does it mean for us?” Mercedes muttered.

  “I don’t know, but I have a feeling we’re gonna find out. They did say 50/50. We shouldn’t panic, at least not yet.”

  They listened to the radio station all the way to Montgomery Hall, but there was no mention of the storm again, and Carlita began to relax. Weather forecasters weren’t always right, and maybe they were wrong. She hoped so.

  The guard buzzed them through the gate and Lucien, Tori’s security guard, met them in the drive. “You can park your car in the detached garage. It’s behind the main house.” He pointed to the left. “Follow this path. It’s right around the bend. Honk when you get there and Chad Olsen will show you where to park.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Before you go, I’ll unload your luggage. That way you won’t have to haul it down the path,” Lucien offered.

  “Good idea.” Mercedes sprang from the car and held the back door while Lucien removed both bags and set them on the ground.

  “I’ll wait here for you,” he promised.

  “We’ll hurry.” Mercedes slid behind the wheel. She rolled the window up and then steered the car onto the narrow path.

  The one lane path led to a clearing where a two-story detached garage sat in the open.

  “It looks empty.” Mercedes honked when they got close and the door opened. A dark-haired man waved them forward until the car cleared the overhead doors.

  She shifted into park and shut the engine off before climbing out of the car. “I’m impressed. We get our own indoor parking spot.”

  “Mrs. Montgomery asked that we park your vehicle inside to avoid damage in the event we’re hit by Tropical Storm Rex.” He held out his hand. “I’ll store your keys in the office until you’re ready to leave.”

  Mercedes stared at the keys she was holding. On the one hand, she implicitly trusted Victoria Montgomery.

  On the other, she’d watched more than her share of slasher movies. Visions of being trapped on the island and stalked by a serial killer ran through her mind. She hesitantly held out the keys. “Thank you…”

  “Olsen.” A half smile crept across his face and he tightened his grip on the keys. “Your car will be safe here.”

  A small shiver of fear crept up Mercedes’ spine as her eyes met his. Slasher. Mercedes mentally shook her head. “Thank you Olsen.”

  Mother and daughter exited the building and began walking toward Montgomery Hall. Mercedes waited until the overhead door closed behind them before speaking. “Something about that man is creeping me out.”

  “You too? I thought I was being paranoid. I got the feeling he was studying us, sizing us up.”

  “Like an insect.” Mercedes shuddered. “He looked familiar, like I’ve met him before.”

  “A lot of people come in and out of the pawnshop,” Carlita pointed out. “He may have come in and you just don’t remember.”

  “True, but there’s something about him I can’t quite put my finger on.” They rounded the corner where Lucien stood guarding their bags. “Your car is parked in the barn?”

  “Yes.” Carlita nodded. “The man kept our car keys.”

  “It’s standard operating procedure for overnight guests,” Lucien said. “Mrs. Montgomery prefers that house guests surrender their keys when they’re staying in Montgomery Hall.”

  Carlita opened her mouth to reply and then quickly closed it. It was her house and her rules. Still, she thought it was a little odd. Was she concerned one of the guests would load up their vehicle with valuables and then drive off? If that was her concern, she shouldn’t let people stay…or maybe she wanted their keys, suspecting Carlita and her daughter might try to lift something.

  She quickly dismissed the thought. Surely, Tori knew they would never steal items from her or anyone from that matter, but then again, she knew the family had ties to the mafia. Once a criminal, always a criminal.

  “It appears there’s a storm brewing.” Lucien escorted them through the courtyard and the front door. “Mrs. Montgomery will join you shortly. In the meantime, she’s asked me to show you to your rooms. They’re located on the second floor.”

  “Where’s Byron?”

  “Byron is taking care of a matter for Mrs. Montgomery.”

  Carlita reached for her bag and Lucien firmly shook his head. “I will carry your bags. You’re our guests.” He picked up the suitcases and began trudging up the steps.

  “Thank you Lucien. We’re not used to people waiting on us,” Carlita said.

  “It’s something I’m willing to get used to,” Mercedes whispered and her mother gave her a pointed stare.

  “What? I’m being honest Ma. I plan to enjoy this as long as it lasts.”

  “It isn’t lasting long,” Carlita warned. “We’re here to work.” It was Mercedes’ turn to shoot her mother a warning look and she gave a slow shake of her head.

  Lucien turned slightly. “She has employed you to work at Montgomery Hall? I thought you were having some repairs done inside your apartment and needed a place to stay.”

  “We…uh.” Carlita stuttered.

  “What Ma meant is we’re here while our construction crew works. It was a bad choice of words.”

  “Right. Our apartment should be ready by tomorrow or the next day. It was kind of Tori, I mean, Mrs. Montgomery, to offer to let us stay,” Carlita said.

  The top of the stairs opened onto a spacious landing and they turned left, making their way along the mahogany paneled hall.

  Gas lanterns flickered merrily, lighting their way and the fragrant smell of cinnamon and pumpkin spice lingered in the air.

  “It smells like Christmas,” Mercedes sniffed. “Like cinnamon.”

  “This is the first bedroom.” Lucien stopped in front of one of the mahogany doors and set the suitcases on the floor before reaching for the doorknob. “The rooms are identical in size and decor. Each has an en suite bath I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”

  He left the bags sitting in the hall and led them into the room.

  Mercedes followed him in. “This is gorgeous.” The bedroom was as large as their apartment’s entire living room, dining room and kitchen combined.

  The centerpiece was a columned cherry canopy bed. Detailed moldings and intricate carvings decorated the posts while a leather headboard and footboard completed the rich look.

  Mercedes slowly made her way to the bed and ran her hand along a corner post. “I don’t think this would even fit in my bedroom.”

  To the left of the bed was a towering six-drawer bombe chest. On the other side was a small desk, an office chair and a floral print upholstered chair.

  Lucien cleared his throat. “As I said, the other bedroom is identical in furnishings, size and layout. Would you care to check out the en suite?”

  “Would I ever.” Mercedes followed Lucien to the other side of the room and then let out an excited shriek. “Ma! You gotta check this out. There’s a claw foot tub in here.”

  Carlita peered over her daughter’s shoulder. “It’s gorgeous. I’m almost afraid to touch anything.”

  “All of the furnishings are insured,” Lucien said. “Mrs. Montgomery purchased many of these pieces at an estate sale after the Guggenheims sold their bed and breakfast and moved back to Frankfurt.”

  “I’ll take this room,” Mercedes said. She hurried to the hall and dragged her suitcase inside. “Ma’s room is across the hall?”

  “Yes.” Lucien nodded. “The only differen
ce is the view. Your room overlooks the pool, grounds and has a water view while the room across the hall has an unobstructed view of the courtyard.”

  “Perfect,” Carlita beamed.

  “I’ll show you to your room.” Lucien exited Mercedes’ bedroom and wheeled Carlita’s bag to the other side of the hall. He opened the door and shifted to the side. The room was identical to Mercedes’ room, right down to the bedding, throw pillows and flat screen television.

  “If you brought your laptop, you should be able to log on without difficulty. We’ll be serving tea, lemonade and cookies in the drawing room after you unpack.”

  “Thank you.” Carlita hadn’t thought to bring her laptop. Mercedes and she could get quick internet access via their cell phones, if needed.

  She waited for Lucien to exit the room and close the door behind him before wandering over to the window.

  Carlita pulled the lace curtain to the side. A worker was busy sweeping the courtyard walkway while a second worker pruned the shrubs.

  Wind whistled through the bottom of the windowpane and Carlita cast a wary glance at the swirling clouds.

  The 50/50 chance of a developing tropical storm appeared to edging up a notch. What if the tropical storm turned into a full-blown hurricane? Carlita and her children had never experienced a hurricane before…although they’d survived a nor’easter or two.

  There wasn’t much they could do about it now. Olsen had their keys and they were here until at least tomorrow. She thought about Tony, Shelby, Violet and Cool Bones back at the apartment. The apartment was solid brick and she prayed it was as safe as Montgomery Hall.

  Still, she was concerned for her son’s safety and sent him a text message, telling him they’d made it to Montgomery Hall and to keep a close eye on the weather.

  After unpacking, she headed across the hall and knocked on Mercedes’ bedroom door. There was a muffled response, so she eased the door open and stuck her head inside.

  Her daughter was sprawled out on the massive poster bed, remote in hand. “I found the Weather Channel. The latest storm report is showing Tropical Storm Rex heading right toward us.”